England captain David Beckham is set to make a televised appeal to disruptive fans in a bid to get England’s footballing image and reputation back on track.
England play Serbia and Montenegro next week and Beckham, following the ugly scenes which marred their last international match against Turkey last month, will appear on BBC1, ITV and Sky before next Tuesday’s friendly.
The match last month against Turkey, a Euro 2004 qualifier at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, witnessed a number of pitch invasions and Beckham is concerned about the eventual consequences of similar events.
”It shouldn’t happen. If it does again we will be thrown out of Euro 2004,” Beckham told The Sun on Thursday, adding that the England players themselves also had a role to play.
”We have to be careful about our celebrations. I don’t believe the players were responsible but we have to cut it down.”
He added: ”We have to celebrate in the middle of the pitch instead of by the corner flag. We want to stay in the competition.”
England could face heavy sanctions if scenes like those at the match against Turkey are repeated. And England Football Association spokesperson Adrian Bevington believes Beckham’s message will help convince fans to think twice.
”David regards this as hugely important and his message is directed at England fans everywhere,” Bevington told the Daily Mail.
”He knows the gravity of this situation.
”We, as a country, have had a very serious warning about our future conduct and no self-respecting fan wants the team playing behind closed doors or even being thrown out of a tournament.” – Sapa-AFP